My wife and I were surprised upon solving the July 3 very had puzzle. No hidden pairs, no x-wings, nothing really tricky going on; just a little slow going here and there. We wondered if others were surprised as well. Not complaining, mind you - just surprised, especially in the wake of the June 27 "workout."

Well, I wouldn't say it was easy, but yes, perhaps not as hard as normal. But then if you spot something quickly in a puzzle it falls out with ease. Also, if you preferred solving style suits the puzzle, you could also find it easy. Personally, I was getting used to the puzzles with an X-wing, and hence solving them relatively quickly.

Better not say the puzzles are getting easy too often though, or Sam will be ratcheting up the difficulty again.